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The curtain will rise Sunday, Nov. 10, on the Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestras' 2013-14 season -- and what an incredible season it is shaping up to be.

From Bridgeport's Klein Memorial Auditorium this Sunday, to Manhattan's illustrious Carnegie Hall on Dec. 5, to a collaborative concert with the Greater Bridgeport Symphony on Jan. 12, and to China for a 12-day concert tour early next summer, the GBYO is gearing up for a season that goes far beyond the ordinary, explained Anna Kepe-Haas, the group's executive director.

The experiences that the students have this season will become musical memories that will be cherished for a lifetime, Kepe-Haas said.

Founded in 1961 with fewer than a dozen players, the GBYO now has four developmentally sequential orchestras and a Wind Ensemble. It includes about 240 students, in grades five to 12, from more than 25 communities in Fairfield and New Haven counties. Spots within the five ensembles are allotted by competitive auditions in early fall.

Kepe-Haas said that Sunday's 3 p.m. concert at the Klein will feature works by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Dvorák, Handel, Rossini, Smetana and Tchaikovsky. All five ensembles will perform.

GBYO Music Director Christopher Hisey will conduct the Principal Orchestra in excerpts from Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Phantom of the Opera."

Conductor Carrie Mascaro will lead the Symphony Orchestra in a movement from Mozart's Symphony No. 35, Manuel de Falla's "Ritual Fire Dance" and Tchaikovsky's "March Slav."

Erica Messina will conduct the Concert Orchestra in the second movement from Beethoven's 1st Symphony and "Go West!" arranged by Ralph Ford, featuring movie music from "The Magnificent Seven," "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" and "Hang `Em High."

The String Orchestra, under the baton of Aaron Lofaro, will perform Vivaldi's "Autumn," arranged by Harry Alshin, and "Linus and Lucy," arranged by Robert Longfield.

Brian Miller will be on the podium for the Wind Ensemble in "Fanfare and Flourishes," by James Curnow, and "Nimrod" by Edward Elgar, arranged by Jay Bocook.

To be asked to participate in the Dec. 5 concert in New York is enormously exciting and prestigious, Kepe-Haas said.

Tim Janis' "The American Christmas Carol," now in its eighth year at Carnegie Hall, will feature members of the GBYO's Principal Orchestra and a 200-voice choir. Composer Janis will be joined by the popular flutist Sir James Galway, teen soprano sensation Jackie Evancho, Cindy Cruse Ratcliff and Lumiere from Ireland. Conductors will be the GBYO's Hisey and Matt Vanzini.

The 8 p.m. event honors music education in schools and Kate Winslet's Golden Hat Foundation for those living with autism. Tickets range from $30 to $165; www.carnegiehall.org.

The Jan. 12 "A Family Affair," also at the Klein, will benefit the GBS and the GBYO, both under the baton of Hisey, who has guest-conducted the GBS.

" `A Family Affair' will mark the first time in decades that GBYO and GBS have appeared on the same stage," said the executive director.

GBYO's Principal Orchestra will perform "Amahl and the Night Visitors" in the first act, while the second act will be devoted to "Peter."

"It's an ideal family holiday event -- and a great idea for gifts -- with tickets starting at only $25," she said.

"We consider this a family reunion. What a great opportunity to showcase these local cultural giants ... the symphony and the talented youth of our region, coming together in the beautiful Klein," Kepe-Haas added.

Other GBYO regular season concerts at the Klein will be March 2 and May 18, both Sundays at 3 p.m.

"Music is one of the essential pillars of our society that must be fortified each and every day, with vigor, dedication and youthful enthusiasm! The future and good fortune of music requires constant attention and support. Each year, GBYO creates an environment for young musicians to learn and grow together.

"During their lives, our students will take their GBYO accomplishments and experiences throughout the globe to engage, educate and thrill others. When they do, they will remember the GBYO as the place where their life journey began."